Who told the truth? Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland recall their feud and give their versions of the beginning of their historic UFC rivalry.

Image montage used to promote the Chimaev vs. Strickland fight at UFC. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube/UFC

This Saturday (9), in New Jersey (USA), Khamzat Shimaev e Sean Strickland They will finally settle their rivalry. The sworn enemies face off in the main event of... UFC 328, in a clash that is generating concern among MMA fans and professionals before, during, and after the event. Because the animosity is old and tense, the middleweight stars (up to 83,9 kg) looked back and explained its origins.

Previously, the relationship between 'Borz' and 'Tarzan' was friendly, but everything fell apart after two incidents: Strickland's joke about Chechnya and the sparring session held at the prestigious 'Xtreme Couture' gym. Since then, the American claims he got the better of his rival in training and punished him in striking exchanges. The Russian, on the other hand, insists he submitted his opponent more than once.

See too

UFC Ranking: Carlos Prates becomes top-3 after knockout of former champion and gets closer to a title shot.

Carlos Prates analyzes the rematch against Ian Garry and guarantees a different outcome in the UFC: 'It won't last'

Keep an eye on him! Carlos Prates reveals the 'nerd' who helped him the most to knock out the former champion: 'The best lightweight outside the UFC'

Now, on the 'Countdown' program to promote the UFC 328Strickland, in giving his version of events, stressed that the Russian's behavior at the gym is unacceptable. According to the "bad boy," one of the gym's leaders, the feared fighter doesn't aim to help his training partners, but rather to humiliate them.

“He and I are from completely different races, fundamentally different men. If I go into a gym, I'm going to train with the toughest guy, the best, because I want to test myself and find out who I am as a person. I want to know if I can defend myself and get back up. Chimaev is completely different,” said the former UFC champion.

“Chimaev can pick a guy who’s more or less okay, beat him up, just to walk away and say, ‘I’m Chimaev, I’m a tough guy, I just beat this guy up.’ Chimaev has the mentality of a weak man. Any kind of man who tries to intimidate you, there’s a level of weakness in that that I find disgusting,” he concluded.

Chimaev's version

Obviously, the UFC middleweight champion, upon learning of Strickland's statement, vehemently disagreed. On the same program, Chimaev denied being a mean training partner and stressed that if complaints arise, it's because he pushes everyone hard and demands the maximum from them.

Furthermore, the UFC revealed the already known conversation between the fighters, in which Strickland asked Chimaev to go easy on the other athletes in training, as he was the best. Irritated by the former champion's attacks, the Russian stated that Chimaev avoided him as much as possible, but ended up suffering. And 'Borz' is so confident that he finished his opponent that he emphasized that the result is known to many, it just isn't being made public.

“For six years, we trained at Xtreme Couture and helped each other prepare for fights. He says I bully people, but I never intimidated anyone. Some people don't like to train hard, they don't like it when someone hits harder than you. I beat him every day, I met him every day. Strickland didn't like training with me,” said the UFC middleweight champion.

“We had a chat group, they said we were going to train at Xtreme, I went there, but he was at UFC PI. When I went to UFC PI, he went to Xtreme. Then, I came back home and the guy started talking. I don't know why. Maybe he was angry because I hit him at the gym. The people who were there, training with us, know us and know this,” he concluded.

Chimaev and Strickland MMA fighters

Khamzat ShimaevBorz, 31, is one of the best and most fearsome MMA fighters today. The Russian began his career in the sport in 2018, debuted in the UFC in 2020, and became middleweight champion in 2025. Before that, 'Borz' also excelled in the welterweight division (up to 77,1 kg).

In this modality, the athlete competed in 15 fights and won them all, 12 by stoppage (six by knockout and six by submission). His main victories were against Dricus du Plessis, Gilbert Durinho, Kamaru Usman e Robert whittaker.

Sean Strickland, 35 years old, is an elite athlete and former UFC middleweight champion. The American began his MMA career in 2008, debuted in the company in 2014, and won the belt in 2023. Currently, the bad boy is ranked third in the category.

In sports, 'Tarzan' built a record of 30 wins and seven losses. His main triumphs were against anthony hernandez, Brendan allen, Israel adesanya, Nassourdine Imavov e Paulo borrachinha.